Composite material body for impact absorption and articles comprising the body

ABSTRACT

A composite material body ( 10 ) includes a first material layer ( 20 ) and a second material layer ( 30 ) overlapping the first material layer ( 20 ). The first material layer ( 20 ) and the second material layer ( 30 ) are wound to form a flexible and circular rod. Impact absorption is effectively improved and impact resisting strength is enhanced because energy-absorber or damping material or its composition is attached into the composite material body ( 10 ). Technical characteristics, effects and objects of this invention are achieved thereby.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a composite material body, and moreparticularly to a composite material body which has a property of energyabsorption and an enhanced impact resisting strength.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Traditional wheel rims (for such as scooters, bicycles and etc.) made ofcarbon fibers inevitably graze the ground or have a crash while running.In order to protect riders, there are needs to design the wheel rimswith a higher impact resisting strength except enhancing energyabsorption of tires mounted to the wheel rim. Besides, commerciallyavailable rackets (for such as tennis, badminton and etc.) made ofcarbon fibers also inevitably graze the ground or have a crash whileplaying.

How can the wheel rims and rackets have both high energy absorption andimpact resisting strength? This is the problem to be solved by thisinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, this invention relates to a composite material body forenergy absorption and articles comprising the body that aresubstantially intended to obviate one or more of the problems due to thelimitations and disadvantages encountered in prior arts.

An object of this invention is to provide a composite material body.Energy absorption is effectively raised and impact resisting strength isenhanced because energy-absorption or damping material or itscomposition is attached into the composite material body. Technicalcharacteristics, effects and objects of this invention are achievedthereby.

These objects are achieved by a composite material body as defined byclaim 1, a wheel rim as defined by claim 5, and a racket as defined byclaim 8. The dependent claims define preferred or advantageousembodiments of the composite material body, wheel rim and racket.

In order to achieve aforementioned objects, the first aspect of thisinvention provides a composite material body. The composite materialbody comprises a first material layer and a second material layerconnected to the first material layer. The first material layer and thesecond material layer are wound to form a flexible and circular rodwhose diameter is between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm. A proportion of a wholearea of the first material layer to that of a sum of the first materiallayer and the second material layer is between 1:1 and 1:5.

The second aspect of this invention provides a wheel rim to which thecomposite material body is applied. The wheel rim comprises: an annularframe having an upper arc portion, a lower arc portion and twoconnection portions. Two ends of each of the connection portions arerespectively connected to the upper arc portion and the lower arcportion so as to define a space which is arranged around an inside of abody of the annular frame. Two wing portions, for mounting a tiretherebetween, protrude from an outer peripheral wall of the upper arcportion of the annular frame and are oppositely located at two sides ofthe annular frame. Two composite material bodies are respectivelyprovided at positions where the two connection portions are connected tothe upper arc portion.

Preferably, the wheel rim further comprises a third material layer stuckto peripheries of the composite material bodies and received in thespace of the annular frame.

The third aspect of this invention provides a racket to which thecomposite material body is applied. The racket comprises an annularframe having an inner arc portion and an outer arc portion connected totwo ends of the inner arc portion so as to define a space which isarranged around a body of the annular frame. Two composite materialbodies are respectively arranged at positions where the inner arcportion is connected to two ends of the outer arc portion of the spaceof the annular frame.

Preferably, the racket further comprises a third material layer receivedin the space of the annular frame and stuck to peripheries of thecomposite material bodies.

The first material layer is constituted by polycarbonate (PC),polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPU), polymerized siloxanes (silicone), ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), synthetic rubber or combination thereof.

The second material layer is constituted by carbon fiber prepreg orcombination thereof.

The third material layer is constituted by thermoplastic non-wovenfabric, artificial fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide a further non-limiting explanation of the presentinvention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a composite material body, whichis not wound, of the first preferred embody of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the composite material body,which is wound, of the first preferred embody of this invention;

FIG. 3 a front view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a perspective view illustrating a wheel rim to which thecomposite material body of the first preferred embodiment of thisinvention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a perspective view illustrating a racket to which the compositematerial body of the first preferred embodiment of this invention isapplied;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a composite material body, whichis not wound, of the second preferred embody of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Features and their effects of this invention will be described in detailhereinafter by means of embodiments cooperated with drawings. The samenumbers respectively refer to the same or similar elements, components,articles, structure, systems, mechanism, devices, processes, steps ormethods.

FIGS. 1-3 show a composite material body 10 of the first preferredembodiment of this invention which has properties of shock absorptionand enhanced impact resisting strength. The composite material body 10may comprise a first material layer 20 and a second material layer 30connected to the first material layer 20. The first material layer 20and the second material layer 30 may be wound to form a flexible andcircular rod. Preferably, proportion of the whole area of the firstmaterial layer 20 to that of a sum of the first material layer 20 andthe second material layer 30 is between 1:1 and 1:5. Diameter of the rodmay be in a range of 0.3 mm 5.0 mm.

The first material layer 20 may be overlapped or joined to a long-sideedge of the second material layer 30. In this embodiment, the firstmaterial layer 20 may be constituted by synthetic rubber. Alternatively,the first material layer 20 may be constituted by polycarbonate (PC),polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPU), polymerized siloxanes (silicone), ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), or combination thereof. The second material layer 30may be constituted by carbon fibers. Alternatively, the second materiallayer 30 may be constituted by fiberglass, carbon fiber prepreg, orcombination thereof. Description hereinbefore does not intend to limitedtechnical characteristics claimed by this invention.

Also referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the composite material body 10 ofthe first preferred embodiment of this invention is shown and applied toa (composite) wheel rim 40 for scooters and bicycles. The wheel rim 40may comprise two flexible rods respectively formed by winding twocomposite material bodies 10 and an annular frame 50.

The annular frame 50 is formed with an upper arc portion (tire bed) 501,a lower arc portion (spoke area) 502 and two connection portions 503.Two ends of each connection portion 503 are respectively connected tothe upper arc portion 501 and the lower arc portion 502 so as to definea space 51. The space 51 is arranged around the inside of a body of theannular frame 50. Two wing portions 53 protrude from outer peripheralwall of the upper arc portion of the annular frame 50 and are oppositelylocated at two sides of the annular frame 50. A tire (not shown) may beamounted between the two wing portions 53. Two composite material bodies10 may be respectively provided at two sides of an inner peripheral wallof the space 51 in the annular frame 50 and at positions where the twoconnection portions 503 are connected to the upper arc portion 501.

A third material layer 60 is stuck to peripheries of two compositematerial bodies 10 and received in the space 51 of the annular frame 50.The third material layer 60 is constituted by thermoplastic non-wovenfabric, artificial fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof.Description hereinbefore does not intend to limited technicalcharacteristics claimed by this invention.

Please refer to FIG. 5 again. The two flexible rods formed respectivelyby winding two composite material bodies 10 are first placed in thespace 51 of the annular frame 50. Subsequently, the third material layer60 is stuck to peripheries of the two composite material bodies 10. Aninner peripheral wall 52 of the space 51 of the annular frame 50 is thenformed by a carbon-fiber process to gradually increase its thicknesssuch that the annular frame 50 gradually encloses the composite materialbodies 10 and the third material layer 60. Description hereinbeforebelongs to prior arts. Hence, its details will not be given here.Besides, description hereinbefore does not intend to limited technicalcharacteristics claimed by this invention.

FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 show a racket 70 (for such as tennis, badminton andetc.) which is an application of the composite material body in thefirst embodiment of this invention. The racket 70 may comprise twoflexible and circular rods respectively formed by winding two compositematerial bodies 10 and an annular frame 80.

The annular frame 80 is formed with an inner arc portion 801 and anouter arc portion 802 connected to two ends of the inner arc portion 801so as to define a space 81. The space 81 is arranged around a body ofthe annular frame 80. The two composite material bodies 10 arerespectively arranged at two sides of an inner peripheral wall 82 of thespace 81 in the annular frame 80, and at positions where the inner arcportion 801 is connected to two ends of the outer arc portion 802.

A third material layer 90 is stuck to peripheries of the two compositematerial bodies 10, received in the space 81 of the annular frame 80,and surrounds the space 81. The third material layer 90 is constitutedby thermoplastic non-woven fabric, artificial fibers, synthetic fibers,or combinations thereof. Description hereinbefore does not intend tolimited technical characteristics claimed by this invention.

Please refer to FIG. 7 again. The two flexible rods formed respectivelyby winding two composite material bodies 10 are first placed in thespace 81 of the annular frame 80. Subsequently, the third material layer90 is stuck to peripheries of the two composite material bodies 10. Theinner peripheral wall 82 of the space 81 in the annular frame 80 is thenformed by a carbon-fiber process to gradually increase its thicknesssuch that the annular frame 80 gradually encloses the composite materialbodies 10 and the third material layer 90. Description hereinbeforebelongs to prior arts. Hence, its details will not be given here.Besides, description hereinbefore does not intend to limited technicalcharacteristics claimed by this invention.

The composite material body 10, wheel rim 40 in which the compositematerial body 10 is utilized, and racket 70 in which the compositematerial body 10 is utilized mentioned in the first embodiment of thisinvention can achieves the following effects.

Firstly, shock absorption of composite material body 10 is effectivelyraised because shocking-absorbing or resilient material or itscomposition is doped into the composite material body 10.

Secondly, the first material layer 20 and second material layer 30 ofthe composite material body 10 are overlapped or joined to each otherand then wound to form a flexible and circular rod. Hence, the compositematerial body 10 will play an important role of dispersing forcescreated by a crash and thus reduce damage caused by concentration ofhitting points. Therefore, impact resisting strength of the compositematerial body 10 can be enhanced.

Thirdly, the second material layer 30 of the composite material body 10may be constituted by carbon fibers, fiberglass, carbon fiber prepreg,or combination thereof. Hence, the second material layer 30 and theinner peripheral wall 52 of the annular frame 50 of the wheel rim40/inner peripheral wall 82 of the annular frame 80 of the racket 70 arematerials with the same properties. Therefore, adherence of the secondmaterial layer 30 to the inner peripheral wall 52/82 is excellent suchthat interface with bad connection can be avoided when the compositematerial body 10 is integrated with the inner peripheral wall 52/82 viaa carbon-fiber process.

Fourthly, sudden fracture may occur in traditional wheel rims made ofcarbon fibers due to high temperature or fatigue failure. When thecomposite material body 10 is applied in the wheel rim 40 of scooters orbicycles, accidental events may be significantly reduced at the aid ofthermoplastic properties of the third material layer 60. Hence, problemshaving existed in traditional wheel rims made of carbon fibers may beovercome.

Fifthly, sudden fracture may occur in traditional brackets made ofcarbon fibers due to high temperature or impact. When the compositematerial body 10 is applied in the bracket 70 (for such as tennis,badminton, and etc.), accidental events may be significantly reduced atthe aid of thermoplastic properties of the third material layer 90.Hence, problems having existed in traditional brackets made of carbonfibers may be overcome.

FIG. 8 shows a composite material body 10A of the second preferredembodiment of this invention which has properties of shock absorptionand enhanced impact resisting strength. Main structure of the compositematerial body 10A of the second embodiment is substantially the same asthat of the first embodiment.

The composite material body 10A of the second embodiment may comprise afirst material layer 20A and a second material layer 30A connected tothe first material layer 20A. A long-side edge of the first materiallayer 20A may be overlapped or joined to that of the second materiallayer 30A. However, the first material layer 20A and second materiallayer 30A are both trapezoid.

Similarly, proportion of the whole area of the first material layer 20Ato that of a sum of the first material layer 20A and the second materiallayer 30A is between 1:1 and 1:5. The first material layer 20A and thesecond material layer 30A may be wound to form a flexible and circularrod (not shown). Diameter of the rod may be in a range of 0.3 mm 5.0 mm.

It is obvious for persons who have common knowledge in technical fieldof this invention that detailed description and embodiments presented inthis invention are merely used to describe structure, methods,processes, and etc. as well as effects to be achieved by this invention,but not to limit scopes of claims of this invention. Other substitutionsor variations of equivalent elements, component, articles, structure,device, methods or processes are also covered by scopes of claims ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wheel rim (40) comprising: an annular frame(50) having an upper arc portion (501), a lower arc portion (502) andtwo connection portions (503), two ends of each of the connectionportions (503) respectively connected to the upper arc portion (501) andthe lower arc portion (502) so as to define a space (51) which isarranged around an inside of a body of the annular frame (50); two wingportions (53), for mounting a tire therebetween, protruding from anouter peripheral wall of the upper arc portion (501) of the annularframe (50) and being oppositely located at two sides of the annularframe (50); and two composite material bodies (10) respectively providedat positions where the two connection portions (503) are connected tothe upper arc portion (501), each of the two composite material bodies(10) comprising: a first material layer (20); and a second materiallayer (30) connected to the first material layer (20); wherein the firstmaterial layer (20) and the second material layer (30) are connected andthen wound to make the second material layer (30) be situated outsidethe first material layer (20) so as to form a flexible and circular rodwhose diameter is between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm, wherein before the firstmaterial layer (20) and the second material layer (30) are wound, thefirst material layer (20) is joined to an edge of the second materiallayer (30), and wherein a proportion of a whole area of the firstmaterial layer (20) to that of a sum of the first material layer (20)and the second material layer (30) is between 1:1 and 1:5.
 2. The wheelrim (40) according to the claim 1, wherein the second material layer(30) is constituted by carbon fibers, fiberglass, carbon fiber prepregor combination thereof.
 3. The wheel rim (40) according to the claim 1,wherein the first material layer (20) is constituted by polycarbonate(PC), polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPU), polymerized siloxanes (silicone), ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), synthetic rubber or combination thereof.
 4. The wheelrim (40) according to the claim 3, wherein the second material layer(30) is constituted by carbon fibers, fiberglass, carbon fiber prepregor combination thereof.
 5. The wheel rim (40) according to the claim 1,further comprising a third material layer (60) stuck to peripheries ofthe composite material bodies (10) and received in the space (51) of theannular frame (50).
 6. The wheel rim (40) according to the claim 5,wherein the third material layer (60) is constituted by thermoplasticnon-woven fabric, artificial fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinationsthereof.